A review on the Tudor Black Bay 58 GMT.

May 15, 2024,09:21 AM
 


Finally! When Tudor introduced the Black Bay GMT in 2018, I was under the charm of this watch which immediately made me think of the Rolex GMT MASTER 6542, the legendary GMT from the crowned sister. 




The Black Bay GMT was and still is 41 mm big, and... 14, 6 mm high, which, objectively, is quite thick. Not a deal breaker for me, but, since 2018, I was hoping, each year, to see a new version in a smaller AND thinner case. 

We had to wait till this year to see it. 


So, are we disappointed or happy with this one? 

I will immediately kill the suspense and tell you that I am very happy with this smaller version. I am the happy owner of last year's version, the Black Bay GMT Opaline, which I like a lot and I feel that there is some place for this new smaller version. 


The good point is the case proportions, with its 39 mm diameter and its 12, 8 mm height, versus 41 mm / 14, 6 mm for the former version. To be compared to the Black Bay 58 " Submariner " which is... 11, 9 mm high. I guess that the difference is justified by the addition of a GMT module. But one millimeter thinner would have been even better, for sure. To be complete, the distance between the lugs is 20 mm, which will welcome narrower straps and bracelets, a good thing for elegance.


Like the former versions, the new one is water resistant to 200 meters which will allow you to wear it everywhere, as a good toolwatch should be. 

The other good point is about the aesthetics. It is clearly very subjective, indeed, but I really like the cosmetic treatment of the Black Bay 58 GMT, with its gilt dial and hour markers on the bezel. Now we are getting even closer to the 6542 than the former ones. Some will like that, others will prefer the former ones, I must say that I like both of them. 

On the Black Bay 58 GMT, the bezel is burgundy and black, which is another change from the former one which was red and blue. 

Tudor introduces something new for this watch... It is still a Chronometer, but they changed the name... Not just " Chronometer " anymore but " Master Chronometer ". It is much more than just a new name... It is the announcement of a new movement, the 5450 ( the former is the Cal 5652 ), with a slightly lower power reserve ( 65 hours, instead 70 hours ) BUT... The former is chronometer certified by the COSC when the new one is certified by the COSC and METAS, so with the movement outside the watch AND once encased. 

The other great thing is that the new Black Bay 58 GMT is resistant to 15, 000 Gauss! A detail which has its importance if you spend quite some time on a laptop or computer or in other magnetic fields. 

I wondered why the new Black Bay 58 GMT was 200 hundred euros more expensive than the Black Bay GMT Opaline... Now I understand why ( the new movement ). 


So, all in all, I am very happy and convinced by this new iteration. Ok, I would have preferred a one millimeter slimmer case, but they take the good direction, and they also mechanically improved their product. 


Well done, Tudor. 

Looking forward to reading your comments and thoughts,

Best.

Nicolas

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Comments: view entire thread 

Thank you for the review

 
By: Dimardi : May 15th, 2024-10:20
I also like the new GMT...attractive watch, robust and practical yet still refined and wearable in many settings. I was on the fence about the previous GMTs but this one may push me over...LOL

Nice but

 
By: Arronax : May 15th, 2024-10:54
They need to shave the case sides, surely if rolex could do it several decades ago Tudor can do it now, so will they dare take the fight to the crown of old?

Knew you were considering it,but you actually pulled the trigger1 Bon!

 
By: halkcb : May 16th, 2024-08:33
Strangely,i wasn't convinced when i tried it on in different lighting...the dial seemed different from ,I already have the black dial..hmm

Thanks for your review, Nicolas,

 
By: Gwai : May 15th, 2024-14:29
that watch has so much going for itself, I just wish I'd wake up one day and find that I actually can "do" the snowflake hands... Cheers Marc

Great review and congrats to your...

 
By: Jtl : May 15th, 2024-14:37
opaline dial GMT which is so refreshing and clean. Tudor is the winner this year with the new BB58 GMT package. The colorway with gilt treatment is sublime to my taste.

From a marketing standpoint

 
By: myles721 : May 15th, 2024-15:04
I always wondered whether Tudor was more of a standalone brand or a daily driver for people that own Rolex …sort of like a Porsche Cayenne is to a 911 for people that just have to go to the supermarket in a Porsche…🤔

Hard to deny there is a lot of charm in this collection.

 
By: Bill : May 15th, 2024-15:32
I just have a nostalgia for the thinner option. Maybe a small diet. But a great option for sure. Thanks for the great review.

Great review dear Nico

 
By: @lberti : May 15th, 2024-15:57
Glad to say, i took mine in posesion today! Couldnt be more happy. I went for the discrete (black) rubber option! ...  

You... Big... Tease! 😍

 
By: enjoythemusic : May 15th, 2024-16:34
Some of us are, you know, still waiting for the text / phone call. Major congrats, love the top photo!

Nice review, amanico!

 
By: bruckner4 : May 15th, 2024-16:54
Still a fan of the original, and waiting for the call to try this new iteration. ...  

Great review! thanks !!!

 
By: MilDiver : May 16th, 2024-12:25
A review with all these fine details in one place, (although all are public domain), makes such a great and easy comparison and understanding the differences between the models.

Great review dear Nicolas and superb photographs to illustrate it. Big congrats on this white addition to your collection!! I didn´t know you owned this model. How long have you been enjoying it?

 
By: Subexplorer : May 20th, 2024-13:39
So your is the 39 mm version isn´t it? I like the white dial GMT so much which is in my wish list. I should let go the original 41 mm version which I give very little wearing. I feel Tudor is a brand which has been following a great path answering to the ... 

Thank you for doing this review.

 
By: gup502 : May 23rd, 2024-22:38
This is a very good traveling watch. I wonder what can be done more to improve it. Probably not much.